Paper Towel or Toilet Paper Dispenser

ABSTRACT

There is provided an apparatus for dispensing paper towels or toilet paper from a roll including first and second side walls. At least one roller is located between the first and second side walls. The apparatus for dispensing is adapted to receive the roll, and the roller is adapted to make contact with the roll so that the roll rotates freely on the roller while the paper towels or toilet paper is being dispensed.

RELATION TO PRIOR APPLICATION

This is a U.S. non-provisional application relating to and claiming thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/678,746 filedAug. 2, 2012.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to toilet paper dispensers and paper toweldispensers. Rolled paper dispensers for paper towels and toilet papernormally include a housing or other support mechanism for containing orsupporting the rolled paper. The housing or support mechanism oftenincludes a means for attaching the dispenser to a wall. Normally, thepaper is rolled on a hollow tube or core which supports the paper. Oftenthe dispenser includes a spindle which may be in the form of a solid ortwo piece removable rod extending across the dispenser. The spindlereceives the core of the rolled paper and the rolled paper rotates aboutthe spindle as it is dispensed. In some cases, the dispenser includes apair of dowel pins on opposing ends which are received within a portionof the core. The core rotates about these dowels while the paper isdispensed.

With these prior art type dispensers, it is often difficult to load therolled paper into the dispenser. With a spindle type dispenser, thespindle must be removed and placed through the core of the rolled paperand the combination spindle and rolled paper Is then installed withinthe dispenser. In the case of a two piece spindle, which often includesa spring, the spring or one piece of the dispenser may be dropped duringinstallation. In situations where the dispenser includes a pair of dowelpins, the dispenser must be flexed outwardly in order to fit the rolledpaper within the dispenser and onto the dowel pins. In addition, oncethe rolled paper has been installed in a dispenser, there can bearguments among users as to whether the paper should come out of the topor bottom of the dispenser. This is particularly a problem in the caseof toilet paper. Thus, there is a need for an improved dispenser forpaper towels and toilet paper.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one form of this invention, there is a provided anapparatus for dispensing paper towels or toilet paper from a roll. Theapparatus includes first and second side walls. At least one roller islocated between the first and second side walls. The apparatus fordispensing is adapted to receive the roll. The roller is adapted to makecontact with the roll so that the roll may rotate freely on the rolleras the paper towels or toilet paper is being dispensed.

In accordance with another form of this invention, there is provided anapparatus for dispensing paper towels or toilet paper from a roll. Theapparatus includes first and second side walls. A plurality of rollersare located between the first and second side walls. Each of the firstand second side walls has an upper portion and a lower portion. At leastone of the rollers is located between the upper portion of the first andsecond side walls and at least cine of the rollers is located betweenthe lower portion of the first and second side walls. The rollers andthe side walls form a space for receiving the roll. The rollers areadapted to make contact with the roll whereby the roll may rotate freelyon the rollers while the paper towels or toilet paper is beingdispensed.

In yet another form of this invention, there is provided an apparatusfor dispensing paper towels or toilet paper from a roll. The apparatusincludes first and second side walls. At least first, second and thirdrollers are located between the first and second side walls. Each sidewall has a front area, a middle area and a rear area. The first rolleris located between the front areas of the first and second side walls.The second roller is located between the middle areas of the first andsecond side walls and the third roller is located between the rear areasof the first and second side walls. The first roller located higher onthe first and second side walls than the second and third rollers. Therollers and the side walls form a space for receiving the roll. Therollers are adapted to make contact with the roll whereby the roll mayrotate freely on the rollers while the paper towels or toilet paper isbeing dispensed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 having aroll of paper towels received therein.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4 receiving aroll of toilet paper.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of one embodiment of the roller mechanism ofthe subject invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the rollermechanism of the subject invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the rollermechanism of the subject invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of yet another embodiment of the rollermechanism of the subject invention.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a non-rotating rod located between theside walls of the dispensing apparatus.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of theinvention utilizing the roller mechanism shown in FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1, there is provided rolledpaper dispenser 10 which is adapted to dispense household rolled papersuch as paper towels and toilet paper. Dispenser 10 includes side walls12 and 14 and rear wall 16. Side walls 12 and 14 are attached to rearwall 16. Rear wall 16 includes holes 18 and 20 for receiving screws sothat the dispensers 10 may be attached to a wall. Rear wall 16 thusfunctions as a fastening bracket. A plurality of non-rotating rods 22are connected between side walls 12 and 14, preferably by glue. In theembodiment of FIG. 1, there are five rods 22. Hollow tubes or rollers 24are received over rods 22. Preferably, all of the rollers 24 are freespinning. As shown in FIG. 6, the inside diameter of roller 24 isslightly larger than the outside diameter of rod 22 so that roller 24may freely rotate about rod 22. The dispenser shown in FIGS. 1-3 issized to dispense paper towels and the dispenser shown in FIGS. 4 and 5is sized to dispense toilet paper. As can be seen in FIG. 3, paper towelroll 26 is received within space 28 created by side walls 12 and 14 andcurved array 30 formed by rollers 24. Preferably, rear wall 16 helpsdefine space 28.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 3 and 5, the rolled paperdispenser 10 and 10A enables the user to simply deposit a paper towelroll 26 or toilet paper roll 32 into space 28 or 28A in dispenser 10 or10A without the need to remove a spindle for insertion into the windingcore of the paper towel roll 26 or toilet paper roll 32. In addition,particularly in the case of paper towels, there is no need to flex thesides of the dispenser outwardly so that the towel roll is captured inthe dispenser. Since the rollers and the roll 26 or 32 are in contactand since the rollers and the roll 26 or 32 both rotate, the dispensingof the paper towels and toilet paper is smooth and substantiallyeffortless. Also, the paper towels from roll 26 or toilet paper fromroll 32 can be paid out either from the top or the bottom of the roll.If a user does not like the fact that the toilet paper or paper towelsare being dispensed from the top, he or she can simply remove the roll26 or 32 from the dispenser 10 and flip it over. Likewise, if the userdoes not like the fact that the paper towels or toilet paper are beingdispensed from the bottom, he or she can flip it over. In addition, ithas been found that the paper towel roll and toilet paper rotates freelyon rollers 24 so that payout requires very little effort.

The free end 33 of roll 26 or 32 may be dispensed over roller 24A orbetween rollers 24A and 24B. Preferably, the height of the side walls 12and 14 from the lowest roller to the highest roller are at least onehalf the height of the paper towel roll 26 or the toilet paper roll 32so that the rolls are captured in space 28.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment to that of FIG. 6 in that the rod22 has been eliminated and replaced by pivot pins or studs 34 and 36which extend from each side wall and project toward the opposite sidewall only part way between side walls 12 and 14. Hollow tube 24 includesfirst opening 25 at one end thereof and second opening 27 in the otherend thereof. Stud 36 is received in opening 25 and stud 34 is receivedin opening 27. The inside diameter of roller 24 is slightly larger thanthe outside diameter of studs 34 and 36.

FIG. 8 shows yet another alternative embodiment to that of FIG. 6 inthat both the rod 22 and hollow roller 24 have been replaced by a singleroller 38. Side 12 includes recess 40 and side 14 includes recess 42.Dowel pin 44 extends outwardly from one side of roller 38 and isreceived in recess 40 and dowel pin 46 which extends outwardly from theother side of roller 38 is received in recess 42. The diameter ofrecesses 40 and 42 is slightly larger than the diameter of dowel pins 44and 46.

FIG. 9 shows yet another alternative embodiment to that of FIG. 6 inthat hollow roller 24 has been replaced by plurality of hollow beads 43.The hollow beads may be oval or round in shape and are freely rotatableabout rod 22.

FIG. 10 shows yet another alternative embodiment to that of FIG. 6 inthat hollow roller 24 has been eliminated.

FIG. 11 shows an alternative embodiment to the previously describedembodiments in that the rear all of the dispenser has been eliminated sothat dispenser 10C is not designed to be connected to a wall. Dispenser10C includes first end wall 12 and second end wall 14. Five fixed rods22 connect end walls 12 and 14 together. Five hollow rollers 24 arereceived over the five rods 22. Leg 19 is attached to end wall 12 andleg 21 is attached to end wall 14. Legs 19 and 21 enable dispenser IOCto be placed on a kitchen counter without the need to attach thedispenser to the wall. The dispenser 10C of FIG. 11 is primarily onlyuseful for dispensing paper towels, although it could be used todispense toilet paper if it is sized properly.

FIG. 12 shows an alternative embodiment to that described in FIG. 11.Dispenser 10 d includes first end wall 12 and second end wall 14. Fivefixed rods 22 connect end walls 12 and 14 together. A plurality ofhollow beads are received over the five rods 22. In the embodiment ofFIG. 12, beads 43 are immediately adjacent to one another. Beads 43individually rotate and there is a small amount of space betweenindividual adjacent beads. In addition, there is a small amount of spacebetween end walls 12 and 14 and the beads which are immediately adjacentto end walls 12 and 14. These spaces and the fact that the insidediameter of the hollow portion of each bead is slightly greater than theoutside diameter of rod 22 permit each individual bead to freely rotate.

Referring again to FIG. 1, each side wall 12 and 14 includes an upperportion 45 and a lower portion 47. At least one of the rollers 24 islocated between the upper portions 45 of the first and second side walls12 and 14 and at least one of the rollers 49 Is located between thelower portions 47 of the first and second side walls 12 and 14. Eachside wall 12 and 14 also includes a front area 51, a middle area 53, anda rear area 55. Roller 24 is located in the front area 51 of the sidewalls 12 and 14. Roller 49 is located in the middle area 53 of the firstand second side walls 12 and 14 and roller 57 is located in the reararea 55 of sides walls 12 and 14. The first roller 24 is located higheron the side walls 12 and 14 than the second roller 49 and the thirdroller 57.

From the foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention, itwill be apparent that many modifications may be made therein. It will beunderstood that these embodiments of the invention are exemplificationsof the invention only and that the invention is not limited thereto.

1. An apparatus for dispensing paper towels or toilet paper from a rollcomprising first and second side walls; at least one roller locatedbetween the first and second side walls; the apparatus for dispensingadapted to receive the roll; the roller is adapted to make contact withthe roll whereby the roll rotates freely on the roller as the papertowels or toilet paper is being dispensed.
 2. An apparatus as set forthin claim 1, further including at least one rod connecting the first sidewall to the second side wall; the roller being a hollow roller: theroller received over the rod so that the roller is able to rotate aboutthe rod.
 3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2, further including aplurality of rods configured to form a curved array between the firstand second side walls; a plurality of rollers; a roller received overeach rod.
 4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including aplurality of rollers located between the first side wall and the secondside wall; the plurality of rollers forming a curved array; a space forreceiving a roll formed by the first and second side walls and thecurved array.
 5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further includinga first stud extending from the first side wall and projecting towardsthe second side wall; a second stud extending from the second side walland projecting towards the first side wall; the roller being a hollowtube having a first opening at one end thereof and a second opening atthe other end thereof; the first stud received in the first opening ofthe hollow tube and the second stud received in the second opening ofthe hollow tube.
 6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, furtherincluding a first recess in the first side wall; a second recess in thesecond side wall; the roller having first and second ends; a first dowelextending from the first end of the roller and a second dowel extendingfrom the second end of the roller; the first dowel received in the firstrecess of the first side wall and the second dowel received in thesecond recess in the second side wall.
 7. An apparatus as set forth inclaim 4, further including a rear wall connecting the first side walland the second side wall; the space for receiving the roll formed by thefirst side wall, the second side wall, the rear wall, and the curvedarray.
 8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein the rear wallincludes first and second mounting holes for mounting the dispensingapparatus.
 9. An apparatus for dispensing paper towels or toilet paperfrom a roll comprising: first and second side walls; a plurality ofrollers located between the first and second side walls; the first andsecond side walls having an upper portion and a lower portion; at leastone of the rollers located between the upper portions of the first andsecond side walls and at least one of the rollers located between thelower portions of the first and second side walls; the rollers and theside walls forming a space for receiving the roll; the rollers areadapted to make contact with the roll whereby the roll may rotate freelyan the rollers while the paper towels or toilet paper is beingdispensed.
 10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9, further including aplurality of rods connecting the first side wall to the second sidewall; the rollers formed as hollow tubes; each hollow tube roller isreceived over a rod.
 11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9, furtherincluding a plurality of first studs extending from the first side wall;a plurality of second studs extending from the second side wall; therollers formed as hollow tubes each having a first opening at one endand a second opening at the other end; the first studs received in thefirst openings and the second studs received in the second openings. 12.An apparatus as set forth in claim 9, further including a plurality offirst recesses in the first side wall and a plurality of second recessesin the second side wall; the rollers having first and second ends; afirst dowel extending from the first end of each roller and a seconddowel extending from the second end of each roller; the first dowelsreceived in the first recesses in the first wall and the second dowelreceived in the second recesses in the second wall.
 13. An apparatus fordispensing paper towels or toilet paper from a roll comprising: a firstside wall and a second side wall; at least first, second and thirdrollers located between the first and second side walls; each side wallhaving a front area, a middle area, and a rear area; the first rollerlocated between the front area of each side wall; the second rollerlocated between the middle area of each side wall; and the third rollerlocated between the rear area of each side wall; the first roller beinglocated higher on the first and second side walls than the second andthird rollers; the rollers and the side walls forming a space forreceiving the roll; the rollers are adapted to make contact with theroll whereby the roll may rotate freely on the rollers while the papertowels or toilet paper is being dispensed.
 14. An apparatus as set forthin claim 12 wherein the third roller is located higher on the first andsecond side walls than the second roller.
 15. An apparatus as set forthin claim 13, further including a plurality of rods connecting the firstside wall to the second side wall; the rollers formed as hollow tubes;each hollow tube received over a rod.
 16. An apparatus as set forth inclaim 13, further including a plurality of first studs extending fromthe first side wall and a plurality of second studs extending from thesecond side wall; the rollers formed as hollow tubes each having a firstopening at one end and a second opening at the other end; the firststuds received in the first openings and the second studs received inthe second openings.
 17. An apparatus as set forth in claim 13, furtherincluding first recesses in the first wall and second recesses in thesecond wall; the rollers having first and second ends; a first dowelextending from the first end of each roller and a second dowel extendingfrom the second end of each roller; the first dowel received in thefirst recesses in the first wall and the second dowel received in thesecond recesses of the second wall.